Today the President designated four foreign individuals and three foreign
entities in the ninth annual set of determinations of drug traffickers who
will be subject to the sanctions provided in the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin
Designation Act ("Kingpin Act"). This action brings the total number of
individuals and entities designated under the Kingpin Act to 75 since the
first designations were made in 2000.

This action underscores the President's determination to do everything
possible to pursue drug traffickers, undermine their operations, and end
the suffering that trade in illicit drugs inflicts on Americans and other
people around the world, as well as prevent drug traffickers from
supporting terrorists. We appreciate the support and cooperation often
provided by host governments in making these designations, and this year in
particular, the Government of Italy with respect to the 'Ndrangheta
Organization.

The Kingpin Act, which became law in December 1999, targets significant
foreign narcotics traffickers, their organizations, and operatives
worldwide, denying them access to the U.S. financial system and all trade
and transactions involving U.S. companies and individuals. The Kingpin Act
does not target the countries in which these foreign individuals and
entities are operating or the governments of such countries.

The additional foreign individuals and entities the President has
designated this year as appropriate for sanctions under the Kingpin Act
are:

Haji Asad Khan Zarkari Mohammadhasni (Afghanistan)

Hermagoras Gonzalez Polanco (Venezuela)

Cumhur Yakut (Turkey)

Marcos Arturo Beltran Leyva (Mexico)

Beltran Leyva Organization (Mexico)

PKK (KGK, Kongra-Gel, formerly Kurdistan Workers' Party) (Turkey)

'Ndrangheta Organization (Italy)

The initial list of drug kingpins was released in June 2000; the above
names will be added to that list.